Ghostly figures have been seen at the back of the circle, scenery lowered and objects inexplicably moved around - perpetuating the myth of ghost 'Priory Pete' among actors.

But now it seems thespians and theatre-goers have not been imagining things after all.
Ghosthunters spent the night in the Rosemary Hill theatre on Saturday and have decided the place is definitely haunted following some spooky close encounters.

Paranormal investigator Stuart James said: "Myself and another person were told to be quiet by a voice from nowhere.

"We were walking upstairs and a voice said 'silence'. It was just wonderful.

"We have some great video footage of spirit orbs caught with night vision cameras. They are little spheres of light, they are sort of luminous and just flit around and then fade away. We saw quite a few of them.

"We heard a bang from the back of the auditorium and as we focussed the camera on there a spirit orb appeared and came out from the direction of the bang. It was very interesting.

"Two investigators heard breathing behind them and that can be heard on the recording as well. Some doors opened in locked off rooms and one camcorder was switched off halfway through the tape.

"All in all it was a very eventful night. It's wonderful to see some physical phenomena. We were absolutely thrilled."

Mr James is the founder of the Ghost Society of England which Priory actor Dean Foy is a member of. He suggested an investigation and the theatre company decided it would be interesting to find out more about the strange goings on.

Six investigators monitored the theatre from 9pm on Saturday until 5am on Sunday with cameras and motion sensors. They have only just begun looking through their film and are so excited by what they captured, they plan to return for a second look.

The team found the balcony and landing leading to it was a hive of paranormal activity - the same place, they discovered afterwards, that many people feel a change of atmosphere or the sensation of being watched.

The Priory's Steve Boden is delighted with the finds.

He said: "I always thought the theatre was haunted and it's exciting to find out what is going on there.

"Now we can piece the jigsaw together. This is just the tip of the iceberg, it would be great to discover who or what it could be.

"Members of the theatre are always seeing spooky things and it's always a topic of conversation. The happenings are always friendly, they're not malicious."